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Molecular biology of adenoid cystic carcinoma
Author(s) -
Liu Jia,
Shao Chunbo,
Tan Marietta L.,
Mu David,
Ferris Robert L.,
Ha Patrick K.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
head and neck
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.012
H-Index - 127
eISSN - 1097-0347
pISSN - 1043-3074
DOI - 10.1002/hed.21849
Subject(s) - adenoid cystic carcinoma , malignancy , carcinogenesis , biomarker , biology , epigenetics , salivary gland , pathology , cancer research , medicine , bioinformatics , carcinoma , gene , genetics
Background Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) is an unusual salivary gland malignancy that remains poorly understood. Standard treatment, including surgery with postoperative radiation therapy, has attained reasonable local control rates, but the propensity for distant metastases has limited any improvement in survival over time. Our understanding of the molecular mechanisms driving ACC is quite rudimentary, due to the infrequent nature of its occurrence. Methods An extensive literature review was performed on salivary gland ACCs and basic science research findings. Results This review highlights many findings that are emerging about the carcinogenesis of ACC including cytogenetics, tumor suppressor genes, oncogenes, epigenetic alterations, mitochondrial alterations, and biomarker studies. Conclusion Although there have been many discoveries, much still remains unknown about this rare malignancy. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2011